Return to the 36th Chamber (1980)

Synopsis

The workers of a dye factory have their pay cut by 20% when the factory owner brings in some Manchu thugs to try and increase production. Desperate to reclaim their full wages, the workers hire an actor to impersonate a priest and kung-fu expert from the temple of Shaolin. The factory owner proves the actor a fraud, and punishes all those involved. The young actor feels he has let the workers down, and promises to atone. He sets out for Shaolin, determined to be accepted as a kung-fu pupil at the elite temple.

Synopsis: TMDB

Why it matters

“Return to the 36th Chamber” is a 1980 film directed by Lau Kar-leung (Hong Kong). Starring Gordon Liu, Kara Wai and Wang Lung-wei. It is from the 1980s, when Hong Kong cinema combined kung fu, real stunts and action comedy. To learn about the art itself, see our Kung fu page.

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